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Statement

Statement | Dec. 11, 2024

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Lebanon

USCENTCOM

Today, Dec. 11, Gen. Michael Kurilla traveled to Beirut, Lebanon and met with Gen. Joseph Aoun, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the Co-chair of the implementation and monitoring mechanism for the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. The leaders discussed ongoing efforts to advance a lasting cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon via the mechanism, which is chaired by the U.S. and assisted by France, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and the Israel Defense Forces.

Gen. Kurilla was present at the implementation and monitoring headquarters today during the ongoing first Israeli Defense force withdrawal and Lebanese Armed Forces replacement in Al Khiam, Lebanon as part of the agreement. “This is an Important first step in the implementation of a lasting cessation of hostilities and lays the foundation for continued progress,” said Gen. Kurilla.

Gen. Kurilla and Gen. Aoun also discussed the ongoing, evolving security situation in Syria, the impact it has on stability in the region, and ways to increase the military to military partnership between the LAF and CENTCOM.